Live-streamed Bible class draws viewers from across U.S.

PARMA, Ohio — The first-ever Eparchy of Parma live-streaming adult enrichment series, “Divine Liturgy: Traveling through Scripture,” concluded March 22. Participants could attend the presentations on five Thursdays during Great Lent in the Eastern Christian Media studio at the cathedral complex or view the live-stream on YouTube. Viewers could also chat or e-mail questions during the presentations, as well as before the next class.

While the live audience was small, online viewers averaged 35 per session from the states of California, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas, and even from overseas in Croatia. Online viewers at later times averaged more than 180 per week.

Deacon Joseph Hnat of St. Mary Parish in Cleveland was the presenter. The series focused on highlighting the Biblical sources used in the Divine Liturgy, and the book, “Time for the Lord to Act,” by Archpriest David Petras was used as reference material.

“We should really look at what it is we are praying,” said Deacon Hnat, adding that, at each session, he and the audience were “working together to help us make things click; to understand what we’re doing.”

Sharon Rayokovich of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Parma said she attended the series “to further my spirituality and to learn more about the liturgy; to do it properly and wholeheartedly.”

Marguerite Charvat of St. Mary Parish in Cleveland said she attended to learn more about how the Bible is part of the liturgy.

“I find it very relaxing and informative,” she said. Charvat said she wished more people took advantage of the series, either in person or online.

John Popp, Eparchy of Parma’s director of mission and administrator of its Byzantine Catholic Cultural Center, said he was “very pleased with this first effort.”
The series gave “more meaning to what we do in church,” he said.

Popp operated the live-streaming camera, and the series was simultaneously recorded by Eastern Christian Media to post for later viewing on YouTube. The videos are available at:
http://www.parma.org/online-bible-study.

Caption:
A studio audience gathers for the adult enrichment series at the cathedral complex. (Photo: John Popp)

As published in Horizons, March 25, 2018.
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